resources

Guest Appearances & Free Resources

Explore curated articles, videos, and podcast episodes where I share real stories, practical insights, and helpful strategies for building a practice outside the insurance model. Whether you’re just curious or already taking steps, these resources are here to support and inspire you.

Articles

Clear, actionable reads for physicians navigating the direct care journey — from financial mindset shifts to marketing insights and personal reflections.

SOMEDOCS

The Future of Private Practice: Why Direct Care Is The Conference Topic Pohysicians Crave

Discusses the growing appeal of direct care among physicians seeking greater autonomy and a return to patient-centered practice.

Where Do I Start With Direct Care?

A step-by-step guide by Dr. Nguyen outlining the initial steps for specialists considering the transition to a Direct Specialty Care model. 

Opting Out for the Better

An exploration of how leaving insurance-based practice can simplify access to care and strengthen the patient-physician relationship.

3 Beliefs to Let Go Of If You Want a Direct Care Practice

Dr. Nguyen addresses common misconceptions that hinder physicians from embracing direct care and offers insights to overcome them.

Benefits of Direct Care Podiatry

An overview of how direct care models can benefit both patients and podiatrists by reducing costs and improving care quality. 

Higher Learning Hub

Why Direct Care is a Great Financial Decision

Dr. Nguyen shares her journey from traditional employment to owning a direct care podiatry practice, highlighting the financial advantages of this model.

Podiatry Today

Social Media as a Referral Source

Insights into leveraging social media platforms effectively to attract and retain patients in a podiatry practice.

Your APMA

An Unsuspecting Leap: Meet Tea Nguyen, DPM

A profile of Dr. Nguyen's transition to direct care, detailing the challenges and rewards of establishing her own practice.

KevinMD

Direct Care with a Podiatry Twist

A narrative on how adopting a membership-based model in podiatry can enhance patient outcomes and practice sustainability.

DMU Magazine

Alumna "Spills the Tea" on Direct Care Podiatry

An account of Dr. Nguyen's shift from an insurance-based practice to a direct care model, emphasizing the regained autonomy and improved patient care.

Videos and Lectures

Recorded presentations and expert panels where I unpack the how, why, and what-now of leaving insurance and stepping into direct care.

Steppin' Off With The DC Foot Doctor

Direct Care Medicine

Dr. Nguyen shares her journey into direct care, highlighting how this model has transformed her practice and patient interactions.

Present Podiatry Treasure Hunt

Why You Should Consider Direct Care

Dr. Tea Nguyen discusses the challenges of insurance-based practice and presents direct care as a viable alternative for podiatrists seeking autonomy and improved patient relationships.

Forget Insurance Stress: How to Adopt a Direct Care Model

In this lecture, Dr. Nguyen outlines practical steps for transitioning to a direct care model, emphasizing benefits like increased profitability and deeper patient connections.

SOMEDOCS

The Benefits of Direct Care: Is it Right for Your Specialty?

Dr. Nguyen explores how direct care can be tailored to various medical specialties, offering insights into its adaptability and advantages.

Student Doctor Network

Practicing Medicine Without Insurance

A discussion on the feasibility and benefits of operating a cash-based medical practice, with Dr. Nguyen sharing her personal experiences.

Direct Specialty Care Alliance

Roundtable: How to Market a Direct Care Practice

Dr. Nguyen joins a panel to discuss effective marketing strategies for direct care practices, focusing on patient engagement and community outreach.

Health Solutions

Minimally Invasive Podiatric Surgery with Better Patient Outcomes

Dr. Nguyen delves into the advantages of minimally invasive surgical techniques in podiatry, emphasizing improved patient recovery and satisfaction.

Podcasts

Conversations with hosts across the healthcare and business space, where I speak honestly about direct care, private practice, and reclaiming your purpose in medicine.

Visionary Practice Solutions Podcast

The Evolution of Employed Physician to Direct Care Private Practice Owner

Dr. Nguyen shares her transition from traditional employment to owning a direct care practice, discussing challenges and lessons learned.

Dean's Chat

Episode 112: Direct Care/Podcaster/Educator

An in-depth conversation with Dr. Nguyen about her multifaceted role as a direct care provider, podcaster, and educator.

The Pod of Inquiry

Season 2, Episode 21: What is Your Direction to Direct Care?

Dr. Nguyen discusses the motivations and steps involved in shifting to a direct care model, offering guidance for interested physicians.

She's a DPM

Episode 6: Concierge Podiatry Practice, Knowing Your Value, and Creative Outlets

A discussion on the importance of recognizing one's worth in practice and exploring creative avenues within podiatry.

Podiatry Legends Podcast

Episode 198: Direct Care

Dr. Nguyen talks about the privatization of healthcare, burnout, and the impact of insurance on treatment choices, advocating for direct care models.

A Doctor's Perspective

Episode 181: Membership-Based Podiatry

An exploration of how a membership model can work in podiatry, with Dr. Nguyen sharing her experiences and insights.

My DPC Story

Episode 68: Dr. Tea Nguyen (She/Her) of Pacific Point Podiatry

Dr. Nguyen recounts her journey to establishing a cash-based podiatry clinic, highlighting the challenges and rewards of the direct care path.

Med Nation

Episode 16: A Discussion on Cash-only Podiatry Clinic

A conversation about the logistics and benefits of operating a cash-only podiatry practice, with Dr. Nguyen sharing her firsthand experience.

Business of Surgery Series

Episode 42: Dropping the Safety Nets of Employment and Insurance

Dr. Nguyen discusses the decision to leave traditional employment and insurance-based models, focusing on the pursuit of autonomy and patient-centered care.

Podiatry Today Podcasts

Private Practice Pathways: What Options Are Out There?

An exploration of various private practice models in podiatry, with Dr. Nguyen providing insights into the direct care approach.

Foot & Ankle Quarterly

Building a Professional Social Media Presence for Your Podiatric Practice

Dr. Nguyen offers strategies for enhancing a podiatry practice's online presence, emphasizing the role of social media in patient engagement.

Organizations to Follow

If you're ready to be part of the change, these are the organizations leading the movement toward transparency, autonomy, and patient-centered care.

Whether you're just starting to explore direct care or already building your practice, these groups offer education, support, and real-world examples of what's possible outside the traditional healthcare system.

  • Free Market Medical Association (FMMA)

A national network uniting patients, physicians, and employers to promote price transparency and free-market principles in healthcare. FMMA hosts annual conferences and provides resources to support direct care adoption.

  • Docs 4 Patient Care Foundation (D4PCF)

A physician-led nonprofit dedicated to preserving the doctor-patient relationship and advancing free-market healthcare. Through advocacy and education, they help physicians explore alternatives like Direct Primary Care.

  • Surgery Center of Oklahoma

A pioneering surgical facility known for publishing transparent, all-inclusive procedure pricing. Their model removes insurance barriers and demonstrates what affordable, ethical care can look like.

  • WellBridge Surgical

Based in Indiana, WellBridge offers upfront pricing and personalized outpatient surgical care. Their approach empowers patients and restores clinical decision-making to physicians.

  • Direct Specialty Care Alliance (DSC Alliance)

A physician-led community supporting specialists who are building insurance-free practices. The alliance offers mentorship, education, and advocacy to make Direct Specialty Care more accessible and sustainable.